HIV Infection and Hepatitis C Control
Author Information
Author(s): Kim Arthur Y, Schulze zur Wiesch Julian, Kuntzen Thomas, Timm Joerg, Kaufmann Daniel E, Duncan Jared E, Jones Andrea M, Wurcel Alysse G, Davis Benjamin T, Gandhi Rajesh T, Robbins Gregory K, Allen Todd M, Chung Raymond T, Lauer Georg M, Walker Bruce D
Primary Institution: Partners AIDS Research Center and Infectious Disease Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Hypothesis
How does HIV infection affect the immune response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in coinfected patients?
Conclusion
HIV infection impairs the immune response to HCV, increasing the risk of recurrent HCV viremia even in individuals who have previously cleared the virus.
Supporting Evidence
- Among 47 HCV/HIV-1-coinfected individuals, spontaneous control of HCV was associated with more frequent HCV-specific lymphoproliferative responses (35%).
- Six of 25 coinfected individuals with prior control of HCV experienced recurrence of HCV viremia.
- The magnitude of HCV viremia following recurrence inversely correlated with the CD4 count at the time of breakthrough.
Takeaway
People with both HIV and hepatitis C have a harder time fighting off the hepatitis C virus, which can come back even after it seems to be gone.
Methodology
The study measured T cell responses in a cohort of HCV-infected individuals with and without HIV, focusing on lymphoproliferation and interferon-γ responses.
Potential Biases
Potential underreporting of risk factors for HCV transmission.
Limitations
The study did not follow patients long enough to determine the long-term consequences of HCV recurrence.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 94 individuals, with 47 being HIV/HCV coinfected.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.016
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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